Never mind the fact that no one even knew Brother Maynard existed until this scene, the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch bit is one of the defining moments that made the Pythons’ 1975 movie Monty Python and The Holy Grail one of the greatest comic accomplishments ever to grace the silver screen.

Sovereign’s Orb (left), and the Holy Hand Grenade.

The grenade not overlooked in the Tony Award-winning Monty Python 2005 musical Spamalot, based on the movie, which continues to tour in both North America and Europe. Holy Hand Grenade Spamalot design t-shirts and magnets can be found on Cafe Press.

This popular prop even made in into the world of gaming, as an hidden Easter egg in the 1997 video game, Fallout.

Alright, this was entirely too educational…time to find that hand grenade.

Where to find it:

The most accessible version of this prop is the plush replica, created by Toy Vault along with other cuddly Monty Python and the Holy Grail replicas like the Killer Rabbit, Tim The Enchanter’s horned helmet, the Black Beast or Arrggghhh and the grail itself. The grenade runs about $19.99 on Entertainment Earth, and $16.66 on Amazon, although Amazon has a great “buy together” deal with the grenade, rabbit and Tim’s hat for around $43. Not bad.

Like any great prop, particularly those that create knowing inside jokes among Pythonites, the Holy Hand Grenade has is featured in many t-shirt designs, art prints, crafts and more. Some standouts includes the Banksy-style Arthur tee by graphic designer “kgullholmen,” found on sites like Tee Fury and Red Bubble. Artist Nancy Hulan, has also created beautiful journal art of the Book of Armaments passage about the grenade, which can be found on her Etsy page for $25.

How to Make Your Own:

This is a pretty simple, albeit nonfunctional, prop to make. For a “bare bones” version, spray paint a round plastic drink cup (these can be found at craft and party supply stores or party sites like Oriental Trading Company. The advantage of these is they have a flat base, so they won’t roll. A or plastic. rubber or styrofoam ball, can also be used, but remember the texture on styrofoam won’t be smooth. Glue silver ribbon or self-adhesive rhinestones around the circumference of the orb, as well as four other strips from from the center strip, where they meet on the top point. Spray paint a small wooden cross silver, and add a red stone in the center. This can be glued onto the lit of the drink cup. or directly onto the ball, if using one.

To go that extra mile, line a small wooden chest or box with red cloth or velvet, and keep it safe.

Now, keep this nearby in case your enemy…or friend…needs to have a good laugh…with your blessings.

Making your own Holy Hand Grenade is as easy as one, two, five…no three!

In honor of April Fools Day and National Humor Month, here’s a look series that I originally ran in 2014 on the “props” of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

The Prop: The Black Bowler Hat

Right! Let’s start simple this week with the classic black bowler hat. The round, felt hat dates back to 1849, when it was created for British politician Edward Coke. The headwear was later indicative of the British upper echelon; a group which was often the target of ridicule by the boys of Python.

The hat often topped of the costume of the proper Brit, and was featured in several episodes, most notably the 1971 sketch “Ministry of Silly Walks.” One of the Python’s most famous sketches, John Cleese wore the bowler as a civil servant for the Ministry of Silly Walks, issuing grants for those wishing to develop their own silly walk. This was a jab at what seemed to be an abundance of government agencies handing out grant moneys to just about anything.

The sketch remains one of Monty Python’s most popular, and images of Cleese were often seen with the signature bowler and carrying a brief case, while taking his large lanky strides. Artists and graphic designers have also had a field day making parody images of one this walk.

Recently, however, Cleese said he wasn’t all that crazy about the sketch, and had found it harder and harder to perform. When the troupe reunited for a live performance in 2014, it included a dance routine called “The Silly Walks Song,” where dancers (not actual Python members) mimicked Cleese’s strides in honor of the classic sketch.

Where to find it: For a genuine bowler (known in the United States as a Derby), expect to spend a little bit for a quality hat. Village Hat Shop has several styles of bowlers and derbys of various colors, but the basic black will run from around $35, for up to $335 for a Christy’s of London-made fur felt hat. A top line Stetson derby will run nearly $185 from sites like Fedoras.com.

There’s even a great how-to image of how do to the Silly Walk found on Wikipedia, and a wonderful tutorial, along with a printable template on building your own silly walk clock, can be found on the blog Scribbles & Such.

In honor of April Fools Day and National Humor Month, here’s a look series that I originally ran in 2014 on the “props” of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

The Prop, well Costume Really…The Gumbys:

The Gumby, the not-too-bright, but exceedingly loud Python recurring character, who utters choppy and sometimes monosyllabic phrases, is one of the best-known Python characters. The name Gumby comes from their footwear, Wellingtons, or “gumboots.”

The very first Gumby to appear on screen was played by the late Graham Chapman, although the most frequent Gumby portrayor was Michael Palin. Every Python has played a Gumby at least once, and when the Pythons reunited in 2014, veteran comic actor Eddie Izzard stood in for Chapman to don the white hanky hat.

It seems there was a Gumby in almost every Python episode. They helped bridge the segments together, were often part of the Man on the Street segments, and Palin’s Gumby was the voice that announced the show title in Series 3. There were even animated Gumbys…courtesy of Terry Gilliam.

These characters all pretty much referred to each other as Mr. Gumby, but there were instances when their name was listed in subtitles…often with the title “Prof.” before it. Of course!

These lovable morons have a favorite place in fans’ hearts, and Python audience members were often not shy of dressing full Gumby to attend their live shows, including their recent reunion show in 2014.

How to Cosplay It:

If there’s one thing about thing about The Gumby, he is easy to find clothes for. Any or all of these items can be found in a second-hand store, discount retail store or even in an old attic box.

The key isn’t what to get…it’s how to wear it. Pretty much everything in Mr. Gumby’s world looks like he’s ready to wade into the steam and hunt for tadpoles..or lost change.

Here are The Gumby basics:

• White long-sleeved button down shirt, sleeves rolled up haphazardly.
• Sweater Vest: tucked into pants.
• One pair or suspenders, any color
• One pair of polyester slacks or khakis, rolled up above the knee
• One white hanky, tied at all four corners and worn on the head
• One set of round wire glasses
• One Charlie Chaplin or “Hitler” mustache (the official term is “toothbrush” mustache, but nobody knows that. Well, now they do). This can be painted on, if you can’t find one.
• One pair of Wellingtons (rubber rain gumboots, preferably black)

For a little extra prop…carry two foam bricks around to bash together.

For all those fashionistas, we’ve even put together some modified Gumby Couture for men and women, using popular fashion-builder sites like Polyvore:

Plus, it’s not to hard to piece together doll-size clothes for Build-A-Bears, Barbie or fashion dolls, American Girl-sized dolls or even sock monkeys.

For those who want to show their Python pride, but don’t want to go all out, “My Brian Hurts” t-shirts can be found on several sites like Cafe Press and TV Store Online, although Zazzle has a design in Latin that’s the perfect inside joke. Planet Minecraft even has a Gumby-inspired skin design for digital cosplay.

There was once an officially-licensed plush version available, but that is long out of production. Keep an eye out on eBay or collectible shops for this rare find.So, Gumby-up! It’s so easy to do…it will make your brain hurt!

Disney announced a Big Hero 6 television series, so it’s time to Fred-Cessorize, with this easy hat and necklace craft inspired by everyone’s favorite slacker.

1. Using felt, cut out three green or light blue or green “eyes” and one black or grey “mouth.” These are easy designs to cut out freehand, or use this template as a guide.

Cut out the pieces for teeth and pupils and lightly tack them on their eyes and mouth, before placing them on the hat. Colorwise, the teeth and eyes are the same, and the pupils and mouth are the same.

Sew the details on the individual pieces before sewing them on the hat.

2. Attach these with similar-colored thread onto a plain turquoise skull cap. These caps can be found inexpensively at craft stores, sporting goods stores and other retailers.

3. For the necklace, roll three small cones (tapered, rolled pieces) out of day-glo or similar-colored green polymer clay. Make one cone slightly smaller than the other two. Mold these together at their thickest end, and smooth out the crevices, so it resembles a little green squid-like creature. Cut the top end off, so it is flat across, and place a small eyepin in the center. Bake the clay, as directed on the package.

Fred’s necklace is just a set of three rolled pieces tapered at the ends

4. Once the clay has cooled, use a toothpick and craft paint or felt tip marker, to dab two little dark green dots on the two outside “tentacles.” In the center of the pendant, dab a circle of white paint and let it dry. Over the circle, dab a smaller bit of red, so it resembles an “eye.” Once the red is dry use a tooth pick and black paint or a felt tip pen to give it an easy, black “pupil.”

5. String the pendant on simple black satin or hemp cord.

Give these as gifts, or wear them yourself and feel like someone no one would ever expect is worth a million bucks!

For a fun addition to this trend, here’s a dollar store skull re-paint DIY for one of the Sith’s darkest characters: Darth Maul. these skulls can be purchased on line year round, not just in the fall, on sites like Orientral Trading Company and Spirit.

1. Spray paint a life-size skull completely red, a let dry.

2. Paint the tattoo patterns on with acrylic paint. Draw on outline of pattern with a felt tip marker, first.

Fun fact: Maul’s tattoos are not Sith related, but are due to his affiliation with the Dathomiri Nightbrothers, from his homeworld. They cover his entire body.

4. Optional: Paint the underside of two clear flattened glass bead with his signature yellow eye pattern (as shown below). You can set these in the eye sockets for and extra creepy gaze. Don’t glue them in, so you can have the option of displaying the skull with or without the eyes.

For an excellent reference, the 501st Legion has images and descriptions of how Darth Maul’s face, head, horns, and the rest of his body, should officially look.

Once complete, you’ll have a Star Wars Halloween prop that is actually pretty frightening, but also really cool.

“Always remember,” Darth Maul has said in the extended universe, “I am fear.”